Words Patrick Kasingsing
Images World Architecture Festival (WAF 2024)
Another robust shortlist showing
The Philippines makes another commendable showing at the World Architecture Festival, nabbing eight (8) shortlist placements for the 2024 edition. While lower than last year’s all-time high of 12 placements from 12 firms, 2024’s batch of shortlisted entrants comprises seven new practices and one shortlist repeater, Archion Architects. Also noteworthy is the breadth of regional presentation; three practices hail from Metro Manila (Archion Architects, Bacungan Architects, and Pluszerotwo Architecture), three from Cebu (LLG Architects Design Studio, Obra Majoralia, and San Studio), and two from Davao City (LT Pagaduan Design Studio and Swito Designs). Shortlisted entrants will present their projects live at the World Architecture Festival in Singapore (November 6 to 8) to an international jury where each can win either category, special and WAFX prizes, and the coveted World Building and Interior of the Year plums.
This year’s batch comes after a banner year for the Philippines, with World Architecture Festival 2023 in Singapore yielding 6 Filipino nods across competition categories and sister events. The University of Northern Philippines brought home the Global Student Charette trophy last December, exactly ten years after the University of San Carlos students nabbed our first win. Also noteworthy is the win of MEDE principal Eldry John Infante, who secured both the hybrid and overall category win from the prestigious Architecture Drawing Prize (Kanto was live in London to cover Infante’s awarding).
New blood
This year’s crop of Pinoy shortlisted projects run the gamut of typologies: Micro-home concepts, a “world-class specialty healthcare center,” a reinvention of a city hall, and a cultural center for Bohol were among the projects that gained the jury nod for the live presentation stage in Singapore. All entries fall under WAF’s Future Projects category, with two of them being recipients of a free competition entry to the WAF courtesy of Kanto and GROHE, founder partner of the World Architecture Festival.
Pinoy at the jury panel
William Ti, Jr. (WTA Architecture and Design Studio), whose Ferdinand E. Marcos Stadium garnered a Highly Commended nod under the WAF 2023 Sports category, returns to the WAF’s judges panel this year, joining 140+ peers from 68 countries and rubbing shoulders with globally renowned practices as they take on the challenging task of determining WAF 2024 winners across its 43 categories.
Without further ado, here are your WAF 2024 Filipino shortlisted finalists!
Shortlist
Archion Architects
Felicidad Sy Multi-Specialty Building, Taft Avenue, Ermita, Metro Manila
Future Projects: Health Category
Bacungan Architects
The Waste-Wise House, North Caloocan, Metro Manila
Future Projects: Competition Category
LLG Architects Design Studio
The Rise at Monterrazas, Cebu City
Future Projects: Residential Category
LT Pagaduan Design Studio
New Public Market and Terminal Complex, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur
Future Projects: Infrastructure Category
Obra Majoralia Architecture
Loboc Performing Arts Center, Cebu City
Future Projects: Culture Category
GROHE Young Visionaries Challenge Winner
Pluszerotwo Architecture
Balai Ani: House of Harvest, Angono, Rizal
Future Projects: Residential Category
San Studio
Interweaving Dualities: Reimagining City Hall Architecture, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
Future Projects: Civic Category
Kanto Selection for WAF Competition Entry
Swito Designs
Peace Building, Maguindanao Del Norte Provincial Capitol, Davao City
Future Projects: Civic Category
#ReadyforSingapore
And the journey to Singapore begins! This is Kanto’s fourth straight year as Philippine WAF media partner, and we start our coverage by publishing standalone features of the 8 Pinoy shortlisted projects in the coming months. With our coverage partner, we will organize a series of preparatory events and activities to get our chosen 8 in fighting form come WAF in November. Kanto readers will get a front-row seat to all the exciting developments surrounding our Pinoy entrants, from the shortlist to the live crit stage in Singapore. Let’s get #KantoWAF2024 started! Congratulations to our shortlisted entrants! Mabuhay kayong lahat!
View the full WAF shortlist here. •
